After tight end Julian Allen was announced to be on the suspended list, the Houston Gamblers brought in some reinforcements on defense.

The team announced Thursday night that they have signed former Iowa State linebacker Marcel Spears Jr. on a contract.

During his five-year college career with the Cyclones, Spears Jr. recorded 272 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, four interceptions, 13 pass deflections, and two touchdowns. He was able to earn many honors at Iowa State getting an honorable mention for the All-Big 12 from 2017 through 2019. Spears Jr. also was AP Second-Team All-Big 12 in 2019 and was invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

He would go undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft joining the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. Spears Jr. would get cut by the team in early September just before the regular season started. He most recently spent time with the Spanish National League of American Football and the Indoor Football League.

Spears Jr. will be bringing Houston some much-needed depth at the linebacker position as he joins Ronheen Bingham, Brandon Payer, Isaiah Pryor, Khalan Tolson, and Jordan Young. It’s a position that went through a lot of changes thanks in part to players like Donald Payne, Reggie Northrup, and Ahmad Gooden leaving the team. Spears Jr. will have a chance to compete for a spot on the roster and could earn a starting spot if he plays his cards right with the Gamblers.